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May 15, 2009

Police arrest two suspects for turtle killings

By Patrick McCreless

Police arrested two suspects Friday for allegedly bludgeoning several turtles to death in a Hanceville park last week.

According to Hanceville Police reports, Triston Lee Miller, 20 and Nathan Allen Abbott, 24, both of Hanceville, were each charged with one count of animal cruelty.

The arrests stemmed from an incident that occurred May 6 near the lake at Veterans Memorial Park. Several citizens found the turtles by the lake with their shells smashed. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing two individuals pulling out turtles with a fishing net shortly before the injured animals were discovered.

Police were called to the scene but by the time they arrived, the suspects had driven from the area.

An anonymous tip helped police identify Miller and Abbott.

Investigator D. Collins said Miller and Abbott stated they were fishing at the lake and caught the turtles.

“They said they were going to take them home and eat them but someone told them it would make them sick,” Collins said. “So they killed them.”

Collins said the two allegedly used a tire tool from their vehicle to smash the turtles.

To Collins, the arrests would likely not have been made so quickly in the case were it not for the community’s help.

“We need this type of participation for all our crimes,” Collins said. “We could solve things much quicker.”

In addition to tips, Collins said the police department received numerous angry calls concerning the turtles.

“They were just concerned and wanting us to catch whoever did it,” Collins said. “It upset a lot of folks.”

Miller and Abbott have been released on bond.

Animal cruelty is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months imprisonment in the county jail or hard labor for the county.



‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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